High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK. But, you could lower your risk of developing hypertension by regularly eating chia seeds, it’s been claimed.
High blood pressure – which is also known as hypertension – puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.
The condition could lead to some deadly complications, including strokes and heart attacks.
It could be caused by eating an unhealthy diet, or by not doing enough exercise.
Adding chia seeds to your daily routine could help to protect against hypertension, it’s been claimed.
Chia seeds are a great anti-hypertensive food that could lower your blood pressure, according to nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer.
They’re packed full with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and antioxidants; all of which contribute to a lower blood pressure.
The best way to eat chia seeds is to grind them down into a floury powder, and then add them to a yoghurt or milk.
Just 35g of chia seeds every day could lower your blood pressure by as much as 10/9mmHg after 12 weeks, scientists have claimed.
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“Chia seed fibre, omega-3, and antioxidant polyphenols have beneficial effects on the liver and circulation that can lower blood pressure,” Brewer wrote on her website, MyLowerBloodPressure.
“Chia seeds also contain fibre, lignans, antioxidants, magnesium, calcium and potassium which together have an even more powerful effect against high blood pressure.
“Chia seeds can be ground in a coffee grinder to produce chia flour that you can sprinkle over foods or added to smoothies or used to make gluten-free pancakes or muffins, for example.
“Chia seeds can also be eaten ‘raw’ without soaking, or soaked to absorb up to 12 times their weight in water. This forms a thick gel which is easily digested.”
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But, you should always eat chia seeds in moderation, she warned.
Their high fibre content means that eating too many chia seeds can lead to abdominal pain and bloating.
Meanwhile, you could also lower your risk of high blood pressure by regularly eating apples, it’s been claimed.
They contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, that protect against damaging free radicals.
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High blood pressure is often known as ‘the silent killer’, because symptoms only tend to reveal themselves if you have extremely high blood pressure.
The most common high blood pressure symptoms include a pounding in your chest, finding blood in your urine, and severe headaches.
It’s crucial that all adults over 40 years old check their blood pressure at least once every five years.
You can check your blood pressure by visiting your local doctors’ surgery or pharmacy.
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